Day 1 Beijing-Irkutsk
Start the mysterious and magical journey. After arrival, the tour guide will pick you up at the airport and visit the 360-year history that has left more than 1,300 historical buildings and cultural relics in Irkutsk. Go to the government building, Kirov Square, and the World War II Victory Memorial Square. It is located in the center of Irkutsk, surrounded by many famous local buildings. Although it is not large, the square environment is elegant, and there are many pigeons strolling here. The Cathedral of the Lord's Apparition, the Polish Cathedral (Gothic style, now the organ music hall), and the Savior Cathedral (the only church in Siberia with murals on the outside. There is now a city history museum in the church, which is ingenious), then visit the Arc de Triomphe, the Lower River Street, and the famous Love Bridge + Love Locks on the Angora River: the railings on the bridge are hung with various locks symbolizing love. Lovers lock the love locks to express their loyalty to each other and their beautiful wishes for love. The above attractions are all exteriors.
Day 2 Irkutsk-Listvyanka Town
After breakfast, drive to Listvyanka Town to visit the mysterious Lake Baikal, which is the world's freshwater lake. The lake water is extremely clear, with a transparency of 40.5 meters. It is known as the "Bright Eyes of Siberia" and was listed as a World Natural Heritage by the United Nations in 1996. There are 600 species of plants and 1,200 species of aquatic animals in the lake. Visit the Talits Wooden Museum on the way (entry, about 2 hours), and lunch is specially arranged for Lake Baikal grilled fish; then go to the Lake Baikal Museum. After arriving in Listvyanka Town, taste the Russian barbecue meal. Then check in to the hotel to rest.
Day 3 Listvyanka Town-Olkhon Island
After breakfast, go to the famous fish market of Lake Baikal (tour time is about 30 minutes) where you can see the unique Omri fish of Lake Baikal and various fish of Lake Baikal. Then take a car to Olkhon Island, taste the special Buryat meal on the way, and continue to move forward after the meal and arrive at the town of Khuzhir to check in.
Olkhon Island: Olkhon Island is the largest of the 22 islands in Lake Baikal, about 71 kilometers long and 15 kilometers wide. If Lake Baikal is the pearl of Siberia, Olkhon Island is the heart of this pearl. The climate here is suitable and the scenery is beautiful. Olkhon Island is the largest cultural center of ancient culture from the 6th to the 10th century and is considered to be the religious center of shamanism. The ethnic traditions, customs and unique ethnic characteristics here have been preserved intact.
Day 4 Khuzhir Village
Today is free all day, you can arrange your own time to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Olkhon Island and explore the mysterious shaman culture on the island. It is recommended to go to Shaman Stone and Shaman Pillar in the early morning to shoot the sunrise. It is said that the gods of Lake Baikal live in Shaman Rock. The trees beside Shaman Rock are also tied with ribbons by believers. A ribbon represents a wish, and different colors represent different things to pray for. You can enjoy the beauty of Olkhon Island on this day and enjoy the most beautiful sunset in the evening.
Day 5 Khuzhir, Oshima Island - Lighthouse Town
After breakfast, take a boat from Oshima Island (or from the MPC ferry) to the town of Grimentsk (гремячинск), which takes about 3-4 hours. You can feel the vastness of Lake Baikal up close. Lunch in the town.
After lunch, free time on the southern shore of Lake Baikal.
Warm reminder: There are some waves on the surface of Lake Baikal, and the temperature of the lake surface is relatively cold in August. It is recommended that you bring a light down jacket and a thin hat and scarf.
Day 6 South Shore of Baikal - Seal Island
After breakfast, take a boat tour of Lake Baikal, take a boat to enjoy the lake and mountains, and appreciate the magnificence of this great lake from another dimension. You will soon arrive at the world-famous "Seagull Rock" to feed the seagulls. In addition to seagulls, there are also Baikal ringed seals, a unique freshwater seal species in the world. The biggest difference between the east and west shores of Lake Baikal is that only the east shore has a beach and you can stroll along the lake. There is a beautiful picture of watching the sunset on the beach of Lake Baikal. At sunset, the coolness gradually rises, and the sun seems to set in the sea. At this moment, there are distant mountains, nearby lakes and red suns. This kind of beautiful scenery is limited edition.
Walking on the beach on the east coast, there is a vast lake on one side and lush forests on the other. The waves are calm and the wind is peaceful. Watching the sunset by the lake, the gradual color of the lake changes from blue to indigo, and then from indigo to black. In a blink of an eye, the stars appear, and the lake reflects the stars in the sky, which is extremely beautiful.
Turtle Rock is a mysterious basalt sacred stone on the shore of Lake Baikal. The beautiful and touching legend behind it can't help but make Lake Baikal mysterious. Turtle Rock is also called the holy stone by local villagers. It blesses the happiness and well-being of generations of people here, so local villagers often come here to pray.
We can stroll on the largest beach of Lake Baikal, climb the observation deck of Monakovo to admire the vast waters and mountains of the Baguzinsky Mountains, and watch the seagulls fly freely.
Lighthouse Town-Ulan-Ude
After breakfast, take a bus to Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia, Russian Federation. The famous square city, the ancient city interprets the immortal legend. The city style is full of strong national characteristics. The municipal square has the world's largest Lenin head (7.7 meters high), Nicholas II Triumphal Arch, Orthodox Church and other iconic buildings. Go to the Old Believers Village.
Visit the Sleeping Lion Mountain in the border area of the Buryat Autonomous Republic, watch the Selenga River meandering through the foot of the mountain, and bend more charmingly under the setting sun, and then go to the legendary Russian Orthodox Old Believers Village Darbagatai Village to experience the local welcome ceremony: special pancakes and home-made wine and other delicacies. Centuries ago, the Orthodox Church changed, and the Old Believers were forced to move west to Poland. Tsarist Russia occupied Poland under the leadership of Catherine, and she ordered the Old Believers to move back to Siberia, where wheat had never grown. The Old Believers, who had been in exile for a century, not only successfully planted wheat after arriving on the east bank of Lake Baikal, so that the locals also ate bread, but also completely preserved their religious beliefs and national customs. Dinner is served at the home of the Old Believers, and while dining, watch traditional performances with folk characteristics.
Ulan-Ude-Manchuria
After breakfast, go to the train station to embark on the return journey, enjoy the scenery outside the train window along the way, and feel the beauty of life.
Day 9
Arrive at a warm home
